Neither on of us is from here (E TN). I grew up in DesMoines and northern Illinois, he grew up in Cincy. I stepped back in time 20 years when I moved to Virginia from Omaha, in 1977.
Our "running buddies" both grew up here. The other night at dinner, he was telling us that several of his buddies - many that he was in fraternity with in college - have been life long Democrats. (he isn't) He said that none of them are willing to vote for Obama, they are all voting for McCain.
We were also talking about polling. None of us have ever been called. We all have college degrees, homeowners, self-employed (except for the other wife - she's a graphic designer for UT).
One of the guys was saying that when pollsters call....if they donot receive an answer....they may mark the result however they wish. Does anyone know if this is true. Whichever guy it was, said they read it in the Wall Street Journal.
Having lived in the South since 1977....there are many white people down here...born and bred Southerners.... that the only way I'm going to believe that they are voting for Obama is to stand next to them and watch them pull the lever for him.
Racism and the Klan are still very alive and well in this area. There is an area of this county that is still almost entirely white. I became a realtor 11+ years ago.....not long after that there were a couple of cross burnings in that area. There are surrounding counties that are still predominately, if not 95%+, that are still white. I can drive 30 minutes from my house and be in "Deliverance".
I have a hard time believing the polls.
I will say though....the media already has given tomorrow night's debate to Biden. Unless Palin does a phenomenal job and Biden makes some serious screw-ups...Biden will win, no matter what his performance....cause the media will give it to him.
As this mess with the economy continues to unfold.....Obama wins and McCain loses. Not because Obama is smart enough to get the country out of this mess...because I don't think he is...but because he is NOT a Republican.